Servus an Alle!

Welcome back to the Munich Post! The purpose of this newsletter is to share: 3 bits of news, 2 upcoming events, and 1 amazing restaurant/café for expats living in and around Munich. This way, you have a pulse on what’s going on without scrolling through thousands of pages.

Did a friend forward this free newsletter to you? You can subscribe below to receive the latest news and events from us every Thursday and join our 5500+ Munich lovers with 1-click!

As promised, here’s our update: The Munich Post is leveling up. We’ve decided to finally let go of our old logo and lean more into how we write and sound in our newsletter. This upgrade is to celebrate reaching 5000+ subscribers and to show our commitment to you. What started as a little side gig for us has grown into a legitimate business, and we want you to come along for the ride.

Introducing our new logo and Munich mascot Lowey!

Here’s what we’ve got for you today:

3 bits of news

Your Guide to Bavaria’s 2023 Election

Can you believe it's election time again? As autumn sweeps in, so does the buzz around our State Election. It happens once every five years, and this is a biggie. So, grab a coffee, and let's break it down together.

Set a reminder for Sunday, October 8, because this is the day we get to voice our opinions. We'll be voting for the Landtag (that's our state parliament) and our seven district councils. Two votes, one person.

Your first vote? That’s for your fave local candidate. And the second? Well, it’s all about your preferred political party. Wondering who will take the top job as Minister President? That’s the Landtag's call, and historically, the Christian Social Union (CSU) often gets to make that pick.

So who’s in the ring? From the well-known like CSU, Greens, and Free Voters to the lesser-known ones like the Party for Medical Rejuvenation Research, there are 19 parties battling it out.

The Landtag is our decision-maker, from passing laws to deciding where our money goes. They're the ones ensuring our teachers, nurses, and police get their salaries and our hospitals and trains run smoothly.

If you're a German citizen 18 or older and have lived in Bavaria for the last three months, you're all set to vote.

Read more here (in English).

This news was co-written by Christopher Bielenberg, who is helping us create a detailed guide about the Bavarian elections. The guide will be available soon.

Enroll in MVHS Seasonal Classes

The Munich Adult Education Center (MVHS, Münchner Volkshochschule) is dropping its autumn/winter program this week on September 1st. And with 100 locations in the city and around 9,000 courses (including everything from the arts to astronomy) up for grabs, you've got plenty of enriching learning experiences to choose from.

Whether you’re a fan of the web, app browsing, or you prefer the good old phone call, MVHS has you covered. Besides the treasure trove of courses, you can easily navigate through the options, sort by your preferences, and even manage your schedule on the go with their platforms.

Check out their website (in multiple languages) here, and you can find the news here.

They have courses in subjects other than languages, such as writing, painting, or anything else you're interested in.

Surname Reforms: What's New?

The Federal Cabinet has just given a thumbs up to a draft law reforming naming rules. This isn't just any reform; it’s a bold step towards making the entire naming process more accommodating and forward-thinking.

Remember those long debates about whose surname to pick after marriage or what surname to give the kids? Good news! The reform introduces real double names for couples and their children.

Even unmarried parents can offer their children a double name, highlighting their bond to both mom and dad. Though, a tiny heads-up: to avoid marathon-long names, you're limited to just two individual names when crafting that double name.

Plus, with the upcoming Self-Determination Act, everyone in Germany will soon have the freedom to determine their gender at the registry office and modify their names accordingly.

For more information, read here (in German).

It is our desire to bring our readers the best information about Munich — at zero cost to you. In keeping with this theme, we thank our sponsors for today’s newsletter. Three reasons why we love Hypofriend: 1. Expat friendly 2. Super nice and upfront communication 3. Amazing calculator to learn about mortgage loans (we’ve personally used their services several times).

Tired of increasing rents?

2 upcoming events

Sustainable Transit hits Munich

We've all dreamed of a future where sustainable mobility becomes the norm, right? Well from next Tuesday to Sunday, September 5 - 10, the International Automobile Exhibition (IAA) is being held for the second time in Munich. During this period, the city center will get a futuristic makeover, which is open for all and absolutely free.

Positioned amid Munich’s iconic landmarks - from Marienplatz to Odeonsplatz and Königsplatz - IAA Open Space promises not just an exhibition but an immersive experience.

How cool would it be to test out everything from the latest e-scooters to nifty e-bikes, right in the heart of Munich? Fancy some art, culture, and live entertainment? Then head over to Königsplatz. And if you're the kind who loves a good chat about the future, the Citizens Lab at Marienplatz is where you'll want to be.

Find more information here. Grab your tickets for the summit here.

General information 

📅 Tuesday, September 5 - Sunday, September 10

⏰ Multiple hours 

📍 Atelierstraße 4, 81671 München

💶 Free

Groove by the Isar

Isar Island Festival is right around the corner. From concerts to cabaret, this is an open-air fiesta set against our very own Munich city river. The banks of the Isar (specifically on Steinsdorfstraße between Ludwigs- and Maximiliansbrücke) will transform into a haven of live music, shows, and some good ol' cabaret.

And hey, with plenty of food stalls lining up, there’s something yummy to satiate those hunger pangs too.

Find more information here.

General information 

📅 Friday, September 1, 5 p.m. - 11 p.m.

Saturday, September 2, 12 noon - 11 p.m.

Sunday, September 3, 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.

📍 Isar River

Bonus

• Bus diversions due to IAA Mobility

• Free cycle check at Odeonsplatz during IAA Mobility

• Two Trachtflohmärkte on September 2: here and here

• Guide on German TV & Radio

1 new restaurant/café to try

Aplafunky

If you thought you knew Greek cuisine, think again. Introducing Aplafunky, where the traditional Greek flavors you adore get a modern, or should we say, funky twist. Wave goodbye to the usual touristy picks and say hello to innovative dishes that’ll have your taste buds dancing.

We ventured in and started off with feta croquettes drizzled with honey and sprinkled with nuts. We then dove into tender octopus and aubergine appetizers. And when the main courses arrived, we were sharing plates of Calamari and lamb and we were on cloud nine. Aplafunky wins additional points for having super attentive, friendly service that’s just the right amount when you need it.

General information

📍 Buttermelcherstr 21, 80469 München

🥘 Greek

🔗 https://aplafunky.de

Meme of the week 😂

Thanks for reading and sharing the Munich Post 3-2-1 newsletter.

See ya next week!

Aazar, Arlene, Christina and Heidi

Hey there! This newsletter is completely free, and we'd love to know if you're enjoying it. We really value your feedback as it plays a crucial role in helping us improve and deliver personalized content just for you. We'd be absolutely thrilled if you could lend us a hand. Would you mind helping us out?